Turkish court clears father accused of sexually assaulting daughter after retraction
A father caught in a suspicious situation with his daughter was initially convicted but later acquitted after she retracted her claims, Diyarbakir, Türkiye, Jan. 29, 2025. (Adobe Stock Photo)
A court in Diyarbakir acquitted a man accused of sexually assaulting his daughter, despite initial testimony and police reports documenting the incident.
The ruling has ignited public outrage, with many criticizing the judiciary for failing to protect victims.
Turkish gendarmerie caught father and daughter in a vehicle
The case dates back to February 2022, when Turkish gendarmerie officers on patrol found a parked vehicle suspicious. Upon approaching the car, they discovered a man and a woman partially undressed.
The officers detained the two and later identified them as father and daughter. According to the official report, the daughter, N.E., was crying, while her father, E.E., attempted to harm himself, pleading with officers not to take action.
My father has always had a special fondness for me, but I couldn’t comprehend it. He first sexually assaulted me when I was around 11 or 12 years old, and the abuse continued over the years. Three years ago, the assaults became more frequent and severe.
Since then, whenever he was not away from the city, he assaulted me every 10-15 days when no one was around. During these assaults, I objected every time and tried to leave the room, but he would beat me each time. I was too afraid of him to tell anyone before because I knew that no one would believe me.
N.E. stated in her initial testimony
In her original statement, she also mentioned that she was willing to undergo a medical examination to prove the abuse.
E.E. was charged with “basic sexual assault” and was sentenced to 13 years in prison by the Diyarbakir 2nd High Criminal Court. However, he appealed the verdict, and the case was taken to the regional appeals court.
Abusive father gets acquitted despite initial conviction in Türkiye
During the appeals process, N.E. retracted her previous statement, now claiming that her father had not assaulted her and that their interactions were consensual. In court, she claimed that she was the first to confess her feelings toward her father.
At first, he got mad at me, saying ‘How could this happen?’ and pulled away. But later, he started getting closer to me.
He did not force me into anything (on the day of his arrest). I am not pressing charges against my father, the defendant. I do not want to be involved in the case.
When asked: My current statements are true. I gave my previous statements under pressure, which is why I said those things. I do not accept my previous statements.
The victim N.E. stated
What did the father say in the court hearing?
The father E.E. also changed his defense, asserting that he had only kissed his daughter and that there was no sexual relationship. He stated, “Over the past 2-3 years, I may have kissed my daughter many times. But there was nothing beyond that.”
The court, citing a “lack of evidence”, ruled in favor of E.E. and overturned his conviction, granting him a full acquittal.
Legal experts and women’s rights organizations have criticized the ruling, arguing that the court disregarded critical evidence:
- The initial police report
- The victim’s original testimony
- Statements of key witnesses
N.E.’s mother, who had divorced E.E. following his conviction, insisted that her daughter had been coerced into withdrawing her accusations due to family and societal pressure.
She claimed that the abuse had been ongoing since her daughter was a child and that her ex-husband had manipulated the legal system to escape punishment.
Turkish judge’s decision not to listen to key witnesses raises legal concerns
The court’s handling of the case has drawn scrutiny, particularly regarding the exclusion of key witness testimonies.
N.E.’s lawyer, Eylem Vural Hillez, argued that the court failed to conduct a thorough evaluation of the evidence.
She criticized the judge for rejecting the testimonies of N.E.’s younger sister and mother, both of whom could have provided critical context on the history of abuse.
Hillez also expressed concerns over the court’s reasoning.
The idea of a romantic relationship between a father and daughter defies logic and human nature. No father would dare attempt such a thing, and no daughter would willingly engage in such a relationship. The fact that this defense was accepted in court is deeply concerning.
The victim’s lawyer exclaimed
She further noted that dismissing key witnesses severely undermined the strength of the prosecution’s case, making it easier for the defendant to secure acquittal. N.E.’s lawyer, Eylem Vural Hillez, has announced plans to take the case to a higher court, arguing that the decision was based on an incomplete evaluation of the evidence.
Hillez once again stressed that the judge refused to hear testimony from key witnesses, including N.E.’s younger sister and mother, which could have provided further insight into the abuse allegations.
Public outrage and calls for reform in Türkiye
The case has sparked widespread outrage on social media, with many users condemning the decision and calling for justice. Hashtags demanding accountability trended within hours of the verdict.
Women’s rights activists argue that the ruling sets a dangerous precedent, allowing perpetrators of sexual violence to manipulate legal proceedings through coercion or intimidation.
- Legal experts emphasize that cases involving familial abuse often result in victims retracting their statements due to fear or pressure
- They urge courts to consider initial testimonies, police findings, and psychological evaluations more seriously instead of relying on retracted statements
- The backlash has fueled demands for systemic reforms to ensure that survivors of sexual violence receive proper legal protection
Human rights organizations and the public will closely monitor further developments as the case moves to higher courts.
Hashtags demanding accountability trended within hours of the verdict. Women’s rights activists have pointed out that the court’s decision sets a dangerous precedent, allowing perpetrators of sexual violence to evade justice through intimidation or coercion.
This ruling adds to a series of controversial court decisions in Türkiye regarding sexual violence and domestic abuse. Activists have repeatedly criticized the legal system for failing to protect victims, citing instances where perpetrators received lenient sentences or were acquitted due to “lack of evidence.”
